Improvement in elastic graduated caps for bottles



J. 1. GRIFFIN. Elastic Graduated Gap fo r'Bottle,

No. 222,780. Patented Dec 23,1879.

JAMES I. GRIFFIN, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

IMPROVEMENT INv ELASTIC GRADUATED CAPS FOR BOTTLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,780, dated December 23, 1879; application filed October 29, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES I. GRIFFIN, of Jacksonville, Florida, have invented a new and useful Elastic Cap for Corks or Stoppers, which invention is fully setforth in the following specification.

This invention relates to an india-rubber article or cap especially adapted for covering and retaining the corks or stoppers in the monthsot'bottles, which can be easily adj usted, ibrming a perfect salbguard against falling out of the corks or stoppers, or against defects therein, and which gives to the stoppered bottle an improved appearance. This article is of a size suitable for forming a durable and portable cup, which, when removed from the bottle, can be used as a measuringcup or graduating-glass.

In order to measure proportionate parts a series of graduations are formed upon the cup. Its capacity is also marked in tea-spoonfuls, or other appropriate measurement.

The improved cap obviates all danger of escape of or injury to the contents of the bottles, and it is particularly useful in connection with those containing perl'umory or other volatile material or substance liable to deliquesce when exposed to the air.

In putting up physicians prescriptions drug gists place a cap of paper or leather over the cork, involving often great delay and annoyance.

By my invention the bottle or via-l can be capped and sealed at once with little trouble or loss of time, while the cap can. be used as a measure for the medicine put up.

The invention consists in a new article or cap, composed of a flat and comparatively stiff and inelastic top, a highly elastic and flexible cylindrical portion of approximately the same diameter as the top, united thereto at the edges, and a large bead at the lower part of the cylindrical portion, preferably on the inside, the said article or cap being adapted to serve as a measuring-cup.

It further consists in providing the cup with graduations on the inside.

Upon the top, at the junction with the cylindrical portion, a circular bead is formed; and in order to further strengthen it, and to give it also an ornamental appearance, two ribs crossing each other at right angles, or similar raised design, is or may be placed.

The top, being comparatively stifl', is or may be made of a cheaper kind of rubber, so that entirely of highly elastic material.

The following description will enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents the cap applied to a stopper-ed bottle in perspective; Fig. 2, the same in longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 the cap detached in elevation, section, and plan.

in the section represented in Fig. 25 the grad nations on the inside of the cap are shown.

A is the cap, with llat top a, cylindrical portion a, large head a at the bottom of the last named, on theinside circular head, to, around the edge of the top, and intersecting ribs a onits upper surface. The graduations on the inside are indicated by the letter g, Fig. 3.

B is the bottle, with neck band llange I) at the mouth, and U the cork or stopper.

ln 'Figal and 2 the cylindrical portion a. and large head a are shown stretched or expanded, in order to embrace. the flange I) and neck I) of the bottle.

The upper surface of the cork should be of practically the same diameter as the interior of the cap at the top. The cap is shown with the indication upon its outside that its capacity is equal to that of one tea-spoon and a ha] I. An yother measurement could be used as well, or measurements in two or more systems or languages could be given.

In order to manufacture the article no particular description is deemed necessary. The top is cut from a rubber composition containing considerable earthy oxides or other mineral matters commonly introduced into rubber compounds, and it is united with the cylindrical portion, made of less adul terated rubber, which has the large head at the bottom, by vulcanization in a suitable mold. The mold ribs at the top, also the corrugations on the inside, and the indications of capacity preferably on the outside, of the article.

The composition for the top may contain the article is better and costs less than if made employed is such as will give the bead and more sulphur than that for the cylindrical portion, so as to approximate what is known as hard rubber. It is preferred,however, that the top have more or less flexibility, although not to the same degree as the cylindrical part. It may be covered, if desired, with a thin coating of the same material as the cylindrical part, to give a uniform appearance to the artiele.

Instead of the ribs 0, any suitable raised design may be used. The large bead at the lower end of the cylindrical portion might be formed by rolling the edge of said portion upon itself before vulcanization.

In using the article the cork is inserted, and the cap is then drawn over the same, and the cylindrical part and large bead stretched and caused to embrace by their elasticity the flange and neck of the bottle, with which a gas and water tight joint is formed, and from which the cap is ettectually prevented from accidental remo al.

Although the cap is specially designed for use in connection with corks and stoppers, yet it is obvious thatit' simply drawn over the mouth of a bottle it would close the same tightly, and would, in many cases, answer in place of a stopper.

What I have described as the cylindrical part need not be of an exact cylindrical shape. It could, if desired, be tapered toward the mouth, so as to be of a somewhat narrower diameter there than at the top, or it may be tapered slightly in the opposite direction.

Having thus fully described my said invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, what I claim, and desire to, secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A cap for bottles adapted to be used as a measuring-cup when detached, the same consistin g of a flat comparatively stiff top, an elastic and flexible cylindrical portion of approximately the same diameter as said top, connected with the latter at its edge, and a beadpalso elastic and flexible, surrounding the mouth or open end of the cylindrical portion, substai'itially as described.

2. A cap for bottles composed of a flat and.

comparatively stit't' top and an elastic and flexible cylindrical portion connected with said top, and having a bead around its mouth or open end, the said top being provided with a circular head at the junction with the cylindrical portion, and being with or without crossribs or other raised design upon its upper surface, substantially as described.

3. An elastic cap for bottles adapted to be used as a measuring-cup when detached, in combination with graduations upon its interior, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES I. GRIFFIN.

Witnesses:

F. A. DicK, PHILIP Merino. 

